Noiseless electric switch



March 6, 1934. F POU 1,949,694

NOISELESS ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed March 30, 1952 ZZ Z8 l INVENTOR.

5 20 'FFLHHK PULL t; L/WM Wwf/ f Patented Mar. 6, 1934 L y :51,9aa41; n,

Frank Poli, ltIillbrae,Calif; .n

Application March so, 193'2."SeriiN9-cpzt1f j w (Cl. zoo-163) 2 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to. electrical devices and hasparticular reference to noiseless switches.

Generally, switches of this character are 5 termed push button switches,and in the electrical industry it is common parlance to term theseswitches snap switches".

It is the general object of the instant invention to provide anelectrical switch of the character described that embodies in itsconstruction,

means for causing the silent operation of the mechanical features of theswitch.

Another object of the invention is to provide a noiseless switch of theclass described that embodies means for causing the silent operationthereof and also novel contacting means therefor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch of the classdescribed that is positive in action, is simple in construction, andthat embodies few parts in its assembly.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent withreference to the accompanying specification and the attached draw- 111g.

Referring to the drawing generally Figure 1 is an elevation illustratinga face view of the switch as applied to the wall of a building;

Figure 2 illustrates the switch with the cover plate removed;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional detail of the switch taken on theline 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional detail taken on the line 4-4 ofFigure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail illustrating the operation of the switchhandle.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the invention consistsbroadly of a cover plate 9, standard housing 10 of metallic characterhaving a switch element 11 pivotally mounted in the housing 10, asclearly disclosed in Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5.

The switch element 11 is pivotally mounted at the point 12 and consistsof a segment 14, as clearly disclosed in Figures 3, 4, and 5.

The segment 14 being pivoted at the point 12 isoperable in' eitherdirection and normally closes the circuit when moved to the dot and dashposition shown in Figure 5.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 5 it will be observed that thearcuate segment 14 is rotatable on the pivot point 12, and that saidlever 16.

The actuating handle 15 is swingable or rotatable from right to left andsaid handle is under tension at all times.

The said handle is provided with a lever 16 pivotally connected at thepoint 17 to a forked arm 18. The arcuate section 14, actuating handle15, and lever 16 are composed of a single piece of insulating material,as clearly disclosed in Figures 3, 4, and 5. Said forked arm 18consisting of elements 19, 20, and 21; the central element 21 thereofacting as a lever and held under tension by means of the spring 22.

The elements 19 and 20 are provided with balls 23 and 24 which act asanti-friction means for the operation of the switch element 11. Normallythe switch handle is held under tension by means of the spring 22.

It will be observed in this connection that, as disclosed in Figure 5,the operating handle is shown in full lines in inoperative position,while in dot and dash lines the same is shown in operative position.

The electrical circuit comprises the usual leads 25 and 26 enclosed inthe conduit 27 and held by the binding posts 29 and 30, as clearlydisclosed in Figures 2 and 3.

The switch mechanism is enclosed in a housing 31, of the usual insulatedcharacter, as clearly disclosed in Figures 2, 3, and 4.

The buss bars 32 and 33 are mounted on the housing 31, and as disclosedin Figures 3 and 5, the said bars are inclined as disclosed, so that theballs travel upwardly thereon when the switch handle is actuated.

It is obvious with reference to Figure 5, that the spring 22 is heldunder tension by means of the element 21, and that when the operatinghandle 15 is actuated, the arms 19-20 and balls 23-24 travel upwardly onthe inclined track or contact plates, as clearly shown in Figure 5. Inthis connection it will also be observed that the device issubstantially noiseless, due to the fact that the balls 23 and 24frictionally engage the inclined elements and travel upwardly thereon.

A central bar 32, Figures 3, 4, and 5, provides means for slidinglyholding the spring 22 under tension; also the actuating handle.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a device ofthe class described that embodies means for its silent and eflcientoperation, this function being taken care of by the balls and theinclined track mechanism.

The switch handle is normally held under tension by means of the spring22, which spring is secured to the arm 18. and is carried by n. yokedpulley 35, as clearly disclosed in Figures 3 and 5.

These elements as above described constituting a trolley mechanismadapted to travel along the bar 32 to maintain the ball members 23 and24 in contact With the bus bars 32 and 33.

I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States thefollowing:-

l. In a switch mechanism of the class described, a casing, a fixedelement and a reciprocable element mounted in said casing, inclined bussbars mounted in said xed element, said reciprocable element including asegment having a forked linked connection thereto, anti-friction meanscarried by said connection and adapted to normally contact said busbars, and a spring controlled trolley mechanism connected to said linkedconnection to normally hold said antifriction means in contact with saidbus bars.

2. In a switch mechanism of the class described, a casing, a xed elementand a reciprocable element mounted therein, inclined bus bars mounted insaid fixed element, said reciprocable element including a swingablesegment having a link connection, a forked element pivoted to said linkconnection, anti-friction elements carried by said forked element andadapted to contact said bus bars, a trolley mechanism arranged in saidXed element, and a coil spring connecting Said trolley mechanism andsaid forked element whereby spring tension is maintained to cause theanti-friction elements to contact said bus bars and also to constantlymaintain tension on said segment.

FRANK POLI.

